--- title: "Sharpie Creative Marker: Acrylic Paint Pen Guide" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-creative-marker/" description: "Sharpie Creative Marker explained: a water-based acrylic paint pen with a bullet tip and no shaking, the surfaces it marks, packs, size and where it's made." category: "Pens" type: "Paint marker" published: 2026-10-22 updated: 2026-10-24 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 5 products: - name: "Sharpie Creative Marker, water-based acrylic, bullet tip, black (2218123)" brand: "Sharpie" brand_origin: "United States" made_in: "China" material: "Plastic barrel and cap, fiber bullet tip, water-based acrylic ink" price_band: "$ (under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Sanford L.P., a Newell Brands company" model: "Creative Marker, acrylic, bullet tip (black: 2218123)" mpn: "2218123" gtin: "3026982055545" --- # Sharpie Creative Marker: Acrylic Paint Pen Guide > The Sharpie Creative Marker is Sharpie's water-based acrylic paint marker. Newell says its paint-like ink won't bleed through paper, shows on light and dark surfaces, and needs no shaking. The bullet-tip marker is about 146 mm (5.7 in) long, sells singly and in packs up to 36, and is made in China. - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-creative-marker/ - Category: Pens - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-22 - Updated: 2026-10-24 ![Capped black Sharpie Creative Marker drawn to scale at 146 mm, with an inset of the bullet tip](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/sharpie-creative-marker-16x9.png) *The Sharpie Creative Marker in black, 146 mm long per Newell's product data (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).* Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Sharpie Creative Marker, water-based acrylic, bullet tip, black (2218123) | Sharpie (by Sanford L.P., a Newell Brands company) | United States | China | Plastic barrel and cap, fiber bullet tip, water-based acrylic ink | – | $: under $5 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) | - Made in (Sharpie Creative Marker, water-based acrylic, bullet tip, black (2218123)): China. Newell's North and Latin America product catalog lists country of origin CN (China) for the black single marker, item 2218123 (read October 22, 2026). Sharpie's classic permanent markers are made in the US, so don't assume the same for this line. Source: https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2218123/Sharpie-Creative-Marker-Water-Based-Acrylic-Marker-Bullet-Tip-Black-1-Count/ ### Sharpie Creative Marker, water-based acrylic, bullet tip, black (2218123) colors - Ink colors (12 standard, 0 special edition): Black; White; Cool Grey; Red; Orange; Yellow; Green; Emerald Green; Lake Green; Parang (a blue); Lilac; Rose Pink. - Per Newell Brands catalog (Sharpie) (https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2218123/Sharpie-Creative-Marker-Water-Based-Acrylic-Marker-Bullet-Tip-Black-1-Count/), checked 2026-10-24. The 12 bullet-tip colors that Newell Brands' Sharpie catalog lists as single markers (items 2218063 to 2218126). Parang is the catalog's name for a blue; the brush-tip line sells a Blue. Warm Tones, Earth Tones, Metallic and variety packs add colors the catalog doesn't name one by one, so they aren't listed. Tints were sampled from Sharpie's product photos (the scribble or the marker's colored end cap). Shops stock different colors; check the listing. ## Key takeaways - Newell's product data gives a single marker unit of 5.74 × 0.74 × 0.6 in (146 × 19 × 15 mm). - Unlike valve paint markers, Sharpie says it needs no shaking or priming: uncap it and draw, and store it lying flat. - Sharpie lists 7 surfaces: paper, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, rock and canvas, on light and dark colors. - The 36-count variety pack ranked #20 in Amazon US Drawing Markers on October 22, 2026, with 800+ bought in the past month. - Newell's product data gives China as the country of origin for the black single marker (item 2218123). ## What is the Sharpie Creative Marker? **It's Sharpie's water-based acrylic paint marker: a bullet-tip pen with opaque, paint-like ink for paper and craft surfaces.** Newell Brands, which owns Sharpie, sells it in single colors and in assorted packs such as Warm Tones, Metallic and a 36-count variety pack. It is not a classic Sharpie. The [Sharpie Fine Point](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sharpie-fine-point/) uses permanent alcohol-based ink that soaks into paper; the Creative Marker lays acrylic color on top, so a light color shows over a dark one. ## How popular is it? **On October 22, 2026, the 36-count variety pack was #20 in Amazon US Drawing Markers, with 800+ bought in the past month.** A 10-count Metallic pack was also in the top 50 of that list. Newell's catalog files the first assorted packs under a 2024 project and the open-stock singles under a 2025 project, so the line is new compared with POSCA or Molotow. ## Sharpie Creative Marker specs | Spec | Value | |---|---| | Maker | Sanford L.P., a Newell Brands company | | Type | Paint marker, capped, with clip | | Ink | Water-based acrylic | | Tip | Bullet (fiber) | | Size | 146 × 19 × 15 mm (5.74 × 0.74 × 0.6 in), unit data | | Black single | Item 2218123, EAN 3026982055545 | | 36-count pack | Model 2221923 | | Made in | China (Newell product data) | The size comes from Newell's product data for one marker, and the 19 mm figure includes the clip. Sharpie doesn't publish a line width; Amazon's listing puts it at 2 mm and above. ![Sharpie Creative Marker size drawn to scale: 146 mm long, 19 mm at the clip and 15 mm across](https://stationerytimes.com/images/sharpie-creative-marker-size.svg) *Newell's unit dimensions for one marker, drawn at 1 mm = 3.6 px.* ## Do you need to shake it? **No: Sharpie says there's no need to shake, so you simply uncap and create.** That's the main practical difference from valve paint markers such as the [uni POSCA PC-5M](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-posca-pc-5m/), which you shake and pump before the paint flows. Sharpie recommends storing the markers horizontally. That keeps ink in the tip of a marker you haven't pumped. ## What surfaces does it work on? **Sharpie lists paper, metal, wood, ceramic, glass, rock and canvas, on light and dark surfaces.** It also says the colors layer, so you can build one color over another once the first is dry. On paper, Sharpie says the ink won't bleed through. On smooth, non-porous surfaces such as glass or ceramic, treat it as decoration: the 36-pack's Amazon listing marks the ink as not water resistant, so a clear sealer helps if the piece will be handled or washed. ## Which pack should you buy? **Start with a single black or white, or a small pack, then add the 36-count variety pack if you use it a lot.** Packs sold in the US include single colors, 5-count themed packs such as Warm Tones, a 10-count Metallic pack and a 36-count variety pack. Per marker, the multi-packs land in our $ band (under $5). Walmart and Staples carry the line as well as Amazon. ## How does it compare with other paint markers? **Choose the Sharpie for no-prep convenience, POSCA for the widest tip range, and Molotow for refills.** | | Sharpie Creative Marker | [uni POSCA PC-5M](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/uni-posca-pc-5m/) | [MOLOTOW ONE4ALL 127HS](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/molotow-one4all/) | |---|---|---|---| | Ink | Water-based acrylic | Water-based pigment | Acrylic | | Start-up | No shaking (Sharpie) | Shake and pump | Shake and pump | | Tip | Bullet | 1.8–2.5 mm bullet | 2 mm round | | Refillable | No | Tip only | Paint and tips | | Made in | China | Japan | Germany | For brush lettering rather than solid color, see our [best brush pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-brush-pens/). ## Where is the Sharpie Creative Marker made? **Newell's product data lists China as the country of origin for the black single marker (item 2218123).** Sharpie is an American brand owned by Newell Brands, and its classic permanent markers are made in the US, so check the pack of other Creative Marker items. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do you have to shake Sharpie Creative Markers? No. Sharpie says there's no need to shake or prime them: uncap and draw. It recommends storing them horizontally so the ink stays spread along the tip. ### Are Sharpie Creative Markers permanent? They're water-based acrylic, not the alcohol-based ink of a classic Sharpie. The Amazon listing for the 36-pack marks them as not water resistant, so seal work on glass, rock or ceramic that will be handled or washed. ### Do Sharpie Creative Markers bleed through paper? Sharpie says the paint-like ink won't bleed through paper. Thin paper can still buckle under heavy layers, so use cardstock or mixed-media paper for filled areas. ### Can you use Sharpie Creative Markers on black paper? Yes. Sharpie says the colors pop on light and dark surfaces, which is the point of an opaque acrylic marker. ### What's the difference between Sharpie Creative Markers and POSCA? Both are water-based paint markers. POSCA is a valve marker you shake and pump; Sharpie says the Creative Marker needs no shaking. POSCA is made in Japan and Newell lists China for the black Creative Marker. ### Is the Sharpie Creative Marker made in the USA? No. Newell's product data lists China as the country of origin for the black single marker, item 2218123. ### How big is a Sharpie Creative Marker? Newell's product data gives the single marker unit as 5.74 × 0.74 × 0.6 in, or about 146 × 19 × 15 mm including the clip. ### What colors does the Sharpie Creative Marker come in? Newell Brands' catalog lists 12 bullet-tip colors as single markers, including Black, White, Cool Grey, Red, Yellow, Emerald Green and Lilac. Themed packs such as Warm Tones, Earth Tones and Metallic add more. ## Sources - [Newell Brands product catalog (Salsify): Sharpie Creative Marker, Water-Based Acrylic Marker, Bullet Tip, Black, 1 Count (item 2218123, EAN 3026982055545, country of origin CN, unit 5.74 × 0.74 × 0.6 in, project 2025 Q1 Creative Marker Expansion)](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/b2dae3b8-7a2e-4ca6-8428-8273de608721/product/SAP_2218123/Sharpie-Creative-Marker-Water-Based-Acrylic-Marker-Bullet-Tip-Black-1-Count/) - [Newell Brands product catalog (Salsify): Sharpie acrylic Creative Marker bullet assorted (2024 project listing)](https://sites.salsify.com/41c9c255-1884-40e0-bc05-ad8dd5617744/74c042b1-2d30-40e4-852a-1b95f9c3fcbc/es-ES/product/SAP_2196902/SHARPIE-ACRYLIC-CREATMKR-BULL-ASST/) - [Amazon: Sharpie Creative Markers Variety Pack, 36 Count (model 2221923, UPC 071641236813; #20 in Drawing Markers, 4.7 stars, read October 22, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G5T8LYYB) - [Amazon Best Sellers: Drawing Markers (Sharpie Creative Markers 36-count and Metallic 10-count listed, October 22, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Arts-Crafts-Sewing-Drawing-Markers/zgbs/arts-crafts/12896731) - [Walmart: Sharpie Creative Markers, Warm Tones, Water-Based Acrylic Markers, Bullet Tip, 5 Count](https://www.walmart.com/ip/19194423795)